MYSTERY surrounds the death of an Irish holidaymaker who was found floating lifeless in her hotel swimming pool in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.

The woman -- believed to be from Dublin and named locally as Antoinette Fitzpatrick (59) -- was discovered in the early hours of Friday morning in the pool at the Montana Club Aparthotel in the popular resort of Puerto del Carmen.

A member of staff spotted her just after 2am, floating fully clothed with her handbag beside her. He dived in to pull her out and alerted emergency services. However, paramedics were unable to revive her.

It is understood Mrs Fitzpatrick was staying at the complex with a female friend who was still out when she returned to the hotel. The pair had arrived in the resort on Tuesday.

Local civil guard officers are probing the circumstances surrounding her death and are reviewing CCTV footage.